18 IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...
Alternatively, make for the maiden city of Derry~Londonderry, and kick off your Christmas celebrations with a trip to the Walled City Markets (4/5th & 11/12th Dec), a stroll along the Peace Bridge and a night of merriment at the Walled City Brewery. Culture yourself at The Playhouse or Millenium Forum or book a last minute spot on a Bucket List experience like Far&Wild Boomboards or Seamus Heaney Homeplace.
With all this and more to see and do, it really is the time to Embrace the Festive Season in Northern Ireland.
Celebrate Christmas with the National Trust
THE halls are decked and the trees are dressed. Unwrap classic Christmas experiences with the gift of festive fun at National Trust properties across Northern Ireland.
Browse the Christmas Market at
Castle Ward, enjoy Storytelling with Mrs Claus at The Argory or make your own Christmas wreath at Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne.
Christmas at Castle Ward
Experience the Christmas traditions from times gone by at Castle Ward this festive season. Step inside the Mansion which will be dressed for an 18th century Christmas.
View the rooms as the Georgians did with the halls wreathed in colourful historical garlands and the table laid with festive treats and rich wines. Indulge in your own treats and gifts as you browse the Artisan Christmas
Market with local food vendors and crafters.
Christmas at Mount Stewart
This Winter add a sprinkle of seasonal magic with a walk round the festive trail, write your letter to Santa, enjoy some seasonal story telling, pick up your locally made Christmas presents from our shop and treat yourself to a warming hot chocolate and freshly baked mince pie.
Christmas at The Argory
Admire The Argory dressed for an 1800s Christmas. Trees, trinkets and garlands will decorate the rooms and the dining room will be filled with festive fayre. Experience what life was like for the MacGeough Bond family and their servants as they prepare for the festive season. Enjoy festive treats in the Courtyard Cafe and a refreshing walk in grounds sprinkled by Jack Frost.
Christmas and New Year is a special time in Northern Ireland, so make new memories with a staycation or festive day out. During the yule season Belfast becomes a magical place, with twinkling lights and cosy pubs to escape into as the nights turn cooler. Work up an appetite with a trip around Victoria Square shopping centre, before heading over to the famous Belfast Christmas Market at City Hall. Kick off the season of indulgence with a night of fine dining in one of the many Michelin starred restaurants, or cocktails at Bullitt to start a festive night out in the Cathedral Quarter.
Nov/Dec 2022 Travel News
Ho! Ho! Ho! The Belfast Christmas Market Comes to City Hall this Festive Season!
THE
festive season
is quickly
approaching, and preparations are well underway for the annual Belfast Christmas Market. The market opens later
this month on
November 19 at Belfast City Hall and will run until December 22. More than a million people are expected to visit this year. This year, Belfast Christmas Market is supporting one of the Lord Mayor’s charities, Pretty n Pink. The breast cancer charity works to support people affected by breast cancer across Northern Ireland, providing financial support and services to patients with breast cancer and their families.
Lord Mayor Tina Black said: “I’m very proud to announce Pretty n Pink as one of my charities for the year, and I’m so pleased that it will be supported by visitors to Santa’s Grotto at the Christmas Market, at City Hall. “The charity does such amazing work, and over the years has supported so many families who are going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, so this is a great way for people to give something back and people can be assured their donations are going to a fantastic cause.
“The market is hugely popular and its arrival always heralds the start of the festive season for the city. It’s lovely to take a stroll through the stalls, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in all those delicious smells. “And every weekend in the run-up to Christmas, we’ll have lots of free festive fun for families so, young or old, if you’re coming in to visit the market, shopping, having a bite to eat or just to see the Christmas lights, there’ll be plenty to see and do,” she added.
Allan Hartwell, Managing Director of Market Place Europe Ltd, said: “We’re
delighted that once again the sights and sounds of the Belfast Christmas Market will form a focal point for the city centre during the festive season, having just been awarded the contract for a further three years we have made a renewed investment in the market to make sure it feels as special as ever.” As well as even more local flavour, the Market still offers something a little bit different with 21 nationalities from all over the world bringing all sorts of unusual foods and gift ideas.
This includes crêpes from France, Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolates, an exotic selection of ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers, giant bratwurst from the iconic Schwenkgrill, Spanish paella and sweets from Italy.
Visitors can also treat themselves to the well known ‘Hug in a Mug’ of Gluhwein from the prize winning Kochem vineyard located in the Mosel Valley, Germany, or end the day in one of the bars serving local and continental drinks to get even more into the Christmas spirit. This year the food court at the Market with bench style seating makes a return, as does the carousel and vintage Helter Skelter, offering views across the market.
Support for local food and craft has increased with a number of St George’s Market traders joining in. Some local favorites will also be returning including Pappas Minerals and Tapitas, Rossi’s Ice Cream and the Toasted Marshmallow stall.
The market will be open Monday – Wednesday, 10am – 8pm; Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 10pm and Sunday, 12noon – 6pm.
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